Quote:
the rest of the world does not think of itself as being at war. . .


Correct me if I'm wrong but a couple points in rebuttal:

Point 1
Most of the rest of the world are not the declared targets of extremists. The US is. The terrorists today have declared Jihad not against an invading army but against our very way of life.

Point 2
Irish terrorists were specifically trying to get the British out of their country. --Soap box deleted before posting--